Vertical batch mixer



A. SCHUCHARDT VERTICAL BATCH MIXER Filed Nov. 22. Q1928 lwvzwlofix WErQQM/ZMV.

' ATTflENET Patented Feb. 3, 1931 Artur orr es AUGUST SCHUCHARDT, FWINGNA, MINNESOTA VERTICAL BATCH IVIIXER Application filed November22,1928. Serial No. 321,158.

This invention relates to improvements in so-calied vertical batchmixersused for mixing dry and powdered or pulverized products of variouskinds including ground feeds for dairy stocks and poultry. An object ofthis invention is to provide a mixing device of such construction that athorough mixture of uniform condition is available at its outlet spout.This and other objects are here inafter fully set forth, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawing, in which,-

Fig. l is an approximately central vertical sectional elevation of myimproved batch mixer showing its mixing screw in lower position.

Fig. 2 is a top view of the device taken on a horizontal plane above thedriving gear means about as on line 22 in Fig. 1.

F 3 is a sectional detail of the lower part of Fig. 1 as between the twoarrows 33 in Fig. 1 and showing the mixing screw of the device elevated.

Referring to the drawing by reference numerals.

5 designates an upright cylindrical mixing chamber the lower part ofwhich is formed tapered as 6 and terminating in a downwardlyopeningcylindrical spout 7. 8 is a plate valve in the lower part ofspout 7 and operable by means of a handle 9. 10 is a suitable top orclosure on the hopper or chamber 5 and above which is suitably supportedas by braces 11 an elevated frame 12.

13 is a vertical screw shaft or agitator shaft slidably and rotatablymounted centrally in the hopper extending above the top 10 of the deviceand its lower end being reduced as 13R and rotatably retained in abearing member 1413 of a horizontal bar 14 fixed diametrically in spout7. This screw-shaft is suspended by its head 13H which rests on asuitable bearing member 15 (shown as a ball bearing in Fig. 1) which inturn is supported on'the base of a housing 16.

Said housing has a vertically extending threaded rod 17 in centralalinement with shaft 13 and extending upwardly and slidably throughframe 12 above which its threads engage a correspondingly threaded hubof a chain sprocket 18 connected by a chain 19 with asmaller sprocket 20fixed now be described.

2 1 is a stationary bearing strut above cover 10 and fixed on suitableframe means 25 on the cover, the bearing or bore being vertical forpassage of shaft 13 therethrough, there beinga long feather key 26 onthis part of the'said shaft. 27 is a bevel gear on shaft 13 and slidablyengaged by the keyed part of the shaft said gear meshing with a drivepinion 28 on a shaft 28S suitably mounted and carrying rotation meanssuch as belt pulleys 29. Thus is provided the means for rotating thescrew shaft 13.

30 is a'continuous spiral screw fixed on shaft 13 and extending upwardlyfrom its reduced lower end to height in spaced rela. tion to cover 10,and as shown in 1, with shaft 13 in its lowest position the lower end,of the screw 30 is within the cylindrical spout 7. Manipulation of wheel23 will cause the entire shaft andscrew to be raised; as

' desired, as to the position shown in Fig. 3

where the lower end of the screw is out of the spout l t.

The function of this screw is to agitate and thoroughly mix anypulverized ground or other substance placed in the container, the screwbeing rotated in a direction to engage and constantly raise suchcontents in the central part of the container the contents being forcedupwardly and outwardly as indicated by arrows 31 thence falling downwithin the Walls where they gravitate in the lower tapered part to againbe circulated upwardly, this process continuing as long as valve 8" isclosed. This action of the spiral screw is of course not new in the artbut it is obvious that where no provision is made for raising the screwaway from the spout the said screw retards drainage of the contents.After a socalled batch has been thoroughly mixed my the screw shaft 13for a purpose which will screw raising means are employed whether thescrew is rotating or not and a free outlet of contents is provided, saidcontents dropping down and out of the spout as indicated by arrows 32 inFig. 3. 33 is an intake opening in cover 10.

Other devices mechanically an equivalent of the mixing screw raisingdevice I have shown, may be used without departing from the spirit andscope of this invention.

I claim:

1. A batch mixer comprising a vertical cylindrical receptacle having atapered lower hopper portion and an outlet pipe depending therefrom, avalve in the lower end of said outlet pipe, a bearing at the top of saidmixer, a second bearing in said outlet pipe alined with said firstmentioned bearing, a rotatable screw mixing shaft mounted between saidboarings and adapted to be vertically adjusted, the lower end of saidscrew mixing shaft extending into said outlet pipe, means for rotatingsaid screw mixing shaft, and means for selectively raising and loweringsaid screw mixing shaftout of and into said outlet pipe.

2. A batch mixer comprising a vertical cylindrical receptacle having atapered lower hopper portion and an outlet pipe depending therefrom, avalve in the lower end of said outlet pipe, a hearing at the top of saidmixer, a second bearing in said outlet pipe alined with said firstmentioned bearing, a rotatable screw mixing shaft mounted between saidbearings and adapted to be vertically adjusted, means for rotating saidscrew mixing shaft, a guide stem on the lower end of said screw mixingshaft slidable through said bearing in the outlet pipe, a threaded screwextending from the upper end of said screw mixing shaft, a threaded nutsupported upon the upper end of said batch mixer adapted to receive saidthreaded screw, and manually operable means for rotating said nut toraise and lower said screw mixing shaft at will.

In testimony whereof I atfix my signature.

AUGUST SCHUCHABDT.

